The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it expects more than 125,000 renovation and remodeling contractors to be trained in lead-safe work practices by April 22, the effective date for a rule requiring such training.

HVAC contractors are included.

An EPA representative told Contracting Business that only one employee is required to take the training, and can pass the training along to others in the company.

The agency is on target to implement the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which will protect millions of children from lead poisoning, on April 22, 2010. the EPA finalized the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (LRRP) rule in 2008. The rule requires contractors to become trained and certified as lead-safe by EPA.

Individuals take an eight-hour training course offered by private training providers to become a certified renovator. The certification is valid for five years. To date, EPA has certified 190 training providers who have conducted more than 4,900 courses. An estimated 100,000 people in the construction and remodeling industries have been trained in lead-safe work practices. Based on current estimates, EPA expects more than 125,000 contractors to be certified by the April 22 deadline. EPA has a number of efforts under way to expedite the training and certification process.

To locate local EPA-accredited RRP training providers using EPA’s search tool, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_training.htm Information on firm certification: http//:www.epa.gov/getleadsafe

For more information on EPA’s lead program, visit  http://www.epa.gov/lead